Florida-Georgia matchups, predictions & activity schedule

Saturday

Oct 31, 2009 at 12:01 AM

MATCHUPS

FLORIDA'S OFFENSE VS. GEORGIA'S DEFENSE

Florida ranks in the top 10 nationally in scoring (35.3 ppg, ninth), rushing (258.3 ypg, sixth) and total offense (457.0 ypg, eighth) but ranks 80th in passing (198.7 ypg). QB Tim Tebow leads the Gators with 466 yards and six touchdowns rushing. WR Riley Cooper (27 catches) and TE Aaron Hernandez (33 catches) are Tebow's top targets. UF is struggling in the red zone, scoring 16 TDs in 35 trips. Georgia ranks last in the SEC and 84th in the nation in scoring defense (27.7 ppg) and the Bulldogs are struggling against the pass (238.3 ypg) and have given up a league-high 15 touchdown passes and intercepted a league-low five passes. LB Rennie Curran is the SEC's leading tackler (10.3 per game). The Bulldogs are stout at tackle with Geno Atkins (17 tackles) and Jeff Owens (19 tackles).

Edge: Florida.

GEORGIA'S OFFENSE VS. FLORIDA'S DEFENSE

Georgia is struggling to run the ball, averaging just 108.0 ypg, which is 103rd in the nation. QB Joe Cox has been up-and-down but is second in the SEC in passing yards per game (225.9) and his 13 TD passes are third. The Bulldogs' biggest weapon is WR A.J. Green, who has 41 catches for 682 yards and six touchdowns - tops in the SEC. Florida is No. 1 in the nation in total defense (229.6 ypg), second in scoring defense (10.1 ppg) and pass defense (135.0 ypg) and 12th in rush defense (94.6 ypg). The Gators should get three key players back: All-American LB Brandon Spikes and DTs Jaye Howard and Lawrence Marsh. CBs Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins locked down NFL-bound LSU WRs Brandon LaFell and Terrance Tolliver. UF's pass rush has vastly improved the past three games - 12 sacks, including three by Spikes against LSU and three by DE Carlos Dunlap against Mississippi State.

Edge: Florida.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Georgia K Blair Walsh has made 11-of-12 field goal tries and P Drew Butler leads the nation with a 49.4 average. Brandon Boykin is averaging 27.3 yards per kickoff return and has returned two for touchdowns. The Bulldogs have blocked three kicks. Florida K Caleb Sturgis has made 13-of-16 field goal attempts but his misses have come from 39 and 37 yards (twice) and UF coach Urban Meyer said Thursday he wasn't sure whether Sturgis would kick Saturday or be replaced by Jonathan Phillips, last year's kicker. Chas Henry has only punted 18 times but has put seven of those inside the 20. Brandon James has not been able to do much returning punts (3.6 per return).

Edge: Even.

COACHING

Meyer, who has won two national titles, has guided the Gators to a 13-1 mark against rivals Tennessee, Georgia, Florida State and Miami. The only loss was to Georgia in 2007. He has led the Gators to a school-record 17 consecutive victories. Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong has built a defense that thrives on blitzing and big plays. Georgia's Mark Richt has led the Bulldogs to two SEC titles and his .775 winning percentage ranks behind only USC's Pete Carroll, Meyer and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops. Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez has been under fire.

Edge: Florida.

INTANGIBLES

There's no celebration penalty to avenge for Florida but Georgia's players are upset over the timeouts Meyer called in the final minutes last year as payback for the on-field celebration in 2007. But is that enough to make a difference? The Gators are better at almost every position, with the exception of defensive tackle. This series, though, is filled with examples of Georgia ruining Florida's SEC title hopes. Another upset today wouldn't do that, but it would ruin UF's other goal: an undefeated season.

Edge: Florida.

PREDICTIONS

John Adams, Knoxville News-Sentinel, Florida 27-17

Robbie Andreu, Gainesville Sun, Florida 34-17

Franz Beard, GatorCountry.com, Florida 24-7

Mark Blaudschun, Boston Globe, Florida 38-21

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times, Florida 24-13

Jeremy Fowler, Orlando Sentinel, Florida 34-20

Frank Frangie, 1010XL, Florida 31-24

Mike Freeman, cbssports.com, Florida 30-20

Gene Frenette, Florida Times-Union, Florida 27-16

Joseph Goodman, Miami Herald, Florida 42-10

Vahe Gregorian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Florida 27-13

Dave Hale, Macon (Ga.) Telegraph, Florida 27-17

Matt Hayes, The Sporting News, Georgia 20-17

Dan Hicken, First Coast News, Florida 28-14

Tommy Hicks, Mobile (Ala.) Press-Register, Florida 24-20

Ron Higgins, (Memphis) Comm. Appeal, Florida 27-13

Bob Holt, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Florida 28-21

Joey Johnston, Tampa Tribune, Florida 30-17

Peter Kerasotis, Florida Today, Florida 23-17

Ted Lewis, N. Orleans Times-Picayune, Florida 27-24

Mark Long, Associated Press, Florida 42-20

Chris Low, ESPN.com, Florida 28-23

Ray Melick, Birmingham (Ala.) News, Florida 28-17

Scott Michaux, Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, Georgia 23-21

Joe Person, The (Columbia, S.C.) State, Florida 35-30

Lenn Robbins, N.Y. Post, Florida 33-13

Ralph Russo, Associated Press, Florida 37-17

Pete Thamel, N.Y. Times, Florida 32-3

Ben Volin, Palm Beach Post, Florida 24-13

Dick Weiss, N.Y. Daily News, Florida 23-13

Mark Weiszer, Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald, Florida 27-13

Kelly Whiteside, USA Today, Florida 17-14

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